Chapter 15

The Keep/

Daemon entered the library of the Keep. "High Lord, what is it that you are hiding from me?" Daemon used a cold tone. Saetan knew that his mirror came for answers and nothing in the world would keep him from them.

"I merely chose not to disclosed certain information. I did what I had to. You needed to stay with Jaenelle. No matter what I said, you would have stayed. Why make the birth of your son a sweet agony? You are in front of a man whose paternity was denied at your birthright ceremony; a man who had to watch from a distance while his sons were tortured and slaved. You have no right to judge me".

"Where is Lucivar, father? I need to know". Daemon released a blast of power that shook the core of the Keep. His breathing was heavy. Right now, the High Lord could see his son struggling to control his temper. Saetan snapped away from his desk and rose from his chair.

"Lucivar is being treated by the Keep's healer along with Daemonar. They were both hurt during a confrontation"

"Confrontation? No one in the realms but you or I could take down the Prick in a fight. Absolutely, no one!" Daemon yelled at his father. "I'll ask one more time, High Lord, what is it that you are hiding from me?"

Saetan looked defeated. He knew the news would be devastating to his son. "There is someone else who wears the Black and seeks vengeance on our family. Your brother was targeted as a way to get back at me for annihilating his people." Saetan lowered his head. "I spun a web a while ago and knew that death was certain. I knew it would affect one of you. I just never thought it would be Marian."

"No… father, Marian can't be dead". Daemon looked at Saetan for confirmation. "That explains it. I felt that something was terribly wrong. The Prick would not have stayed away otherwise". Daemon looked at Saetan with rage."Who gave you the right to make that choice for me? You kept me away. The Prick needed me the most and I failed him. Why didn't you tell us about the web? We could have done something."

"I did not know what would happen. I thought it was related to Jaenelle. I did not want you to suffer because her death would come sooner than we expected. I could have protected Marian if I knew. The web was not clear or strong enough. I tried to hold it together to read it well but I could not. I failed Lucivar again. I failed both of you."

"Who is this son of a whore that wears the Black?" Daemon screamed. Suddenly, his tone became lethal and low. "I am going to kill him slowly but will let him make the transition to demon-dead." Shattered glass blasted the Keep. "I don't care what you did to cause this son of a whore to come after us. All I want to know is if he is after my family too. Do not hide anything from me, high Lord. You owe me this much."

"Yes, he is. If he killed Marian to hurt Lucivar, I do not doubt he will go after your family too. Especially now that they are so vulnerable."

"Damn you Saetan, what did he do to Marian?" Daemon struggled to pronounce the words. Clearly, there was a conflict inside him but now, he was projecting his anger towards his father. A current of rage, fear, emptiness and denial washed over his face.

The reflection of those emotions in his son's face was the last drop on Saetan's cup. The High Lord unleashed his fury and blasted his son against the wall. "He burned her alive and I had to send her demon- dead body back to the Darkness. Are you happy now? Do you think I paid the debt already? Is that enough price for my transgression? You have no idea what it felt like. This is why I am The High Lord of Hell. That is the price that I pay to the Darkness for all those lives I took. 50,000 years of isolation. Do you think I want this for you or myself? Only until I met Sylvia, I recognized what real love for a woman is. I have watched my flesh and blood die while I am left behind. Jaenelle gave sense to your life. You felt like 1700 years waiting for her was a lot? How long did I wait for the daughter of my soul? You really are your father's mirror. I fear you Daemon as your cruelty knows no limits. You are capable of much more than me."

Saetan's words dug deep. By hurting his father, Daemon hurt himself. "Father, forgive me. I have no right to judge you. The Sadist in me can be cruel even with the ones that I love. I just feel defeated. We fight an enemy that blinds us all. We are sitting ducks. I have a son now. My brother has been shattered and who knows how long it will take for him to become whole again. I need him safe but I know him. The Prick won't stay close now. He will distance himself from us. He needs time to fight his demons. I can't leave Jaenelle or Lucian unprotected. When did everything get so screwed up? Only today, I discover that my wife no longer holds the shadow of death on her back. At least, that is what I thought a moment ago. Now, I find out that my family is being targeted. Mother Night, what about you? Are you stronger than him? Am I stronger than him? Father, I must find him."

"You are the strongest male in the history of the Blood. Your wife is the most powerful Witch that has ever existed. She is the daughter of Lorn. Together you are invincible. Remember my words, old son. You fight a man that has no fears and is almost as powerful as you are. However, he has an advantage. He who knows no love or loyalty won't fear death. I am already after his trail. Lucivar will go to Ebon Rih and seek for information. You know as well as I do that he has the right to this kill. It is not yours to claim. We shall help him to seek that payment in full. Only then, will he find peace."

"High Lord, I don't know if I will be able to control myself when I find out who he is. If he tries something against Jaenelle or Lucian, I will kill him".

"Oh, you will and you must. That kill must not be yours. You owe your brother that much."

Lucivar lay in bed surrounded by the healing webs. Daemon closed his eyes trying to regain control of himself. Who could have done this to the Prick? Even more important, how can he help his brother now? Daemon swallowed hard.

"Prick, I am here. I know what happened to you. I know how you feel. All I can say is that I am deeply sorry and we will find out who did this. We will all miss Marian. I wish this never happened. Hold on to your son, he needs you more than ever."

Lucivar turned his face away from his brother. Daemon's chest tightens in response. He expected this. A man in such agony had no strength left to be rational. He had been there before and he knew Lucivar's reaction too well. Daemon walked the Twisted Kingdom and right now, his brother was wondering those frontiers.

"I hear that Cat gave birth and that her web has been reshaped. Isn't it ironic than on the same night one brother gets all what he wished for while the other loses everything?" Lucivar laughed sarcastically.

"Prick, I know you are hurting. Despair and sorrow are taking over and you do not mean that".

Lucivar looked at Daemon straight in the eyes. "Oh, Bastard…I meant every word. I know it is not your fault and I don't blame you. You had to stay with Cat. I would have done the same thing but I can't help to feel this rage inside my heart. I wish I had your power. I could have saved her. Unfortunately, I have always been second best. Always the insurance policy since they could not get to you. I should have known better than to drag Marian into this. I am responsible for her death. She paid the price for loving me. "

"Prick that is not true and you know this." Daemon raised his voice. "Father is destroyed with what happened. He hates himself and feels guilty enough. All of us have done things that we regret. Even worse, at times we did terrible things and we never felt remorse. Marian knew the man she married and you made her happy. There is always danger when you marry a SaDiablo. We rule the territory and serve Witch. Power comes with immense sacrifices and we have been given a duty by Lorn. Mother Night, Lucivar, we are the children of the High Lord of Hell. Our destiny is to rule the Blood. You know this. You can't think clearly because of your sorrow. Only time will extinguish the fire inside you."

Lucivar interrupted Daemon. "Listen to me, Bastard, nothing will console me. I have nothing left. I am nothing but a broken man with a thirst for blood. Marian was the only one who could calm my demons. Without her, a beast has been unleashed. I won't stop until I get my revenge. If you want to do something for me, help me find him. I won't stop until I rip his heart out just like he did to me. I want her back Daemon."

Daemon hugged his brother and simply said: "I know".

The Hall/

Inside Jaenelle's room, the temperature rose. The Kindred looked at the figure of the man in front of them. He looked like Beale but the Kindred could not recognize the scent.

"Bad smells", Kaelas told Ladvarian and was ready to attack the stranger when the Prince unleashed powerful spell.

"Hush now, brothers. You will go to sleep and won't remember what happened here."

Argon released the illusion spell. No need for pretentions while contemplating his future wife.

"Yes, look at you. You are magnificent. I've come for you like I promise. It's a shame I can't take you with me now but the time is near. Your re-birth is almost complete now. I can smell your scent, pretty eyes. We belong together".

Argon looked towards the baby's crib. "I see your child is taking a nap. Sadly, he looks too much like Daemon. I will have to dispose of him. I would not want to be reminded of your former lover every time I looked at him. It is such a shame." Argon stood in front of the crib contemplating the baby with indifference. In that moment, the child opened his eyes and stared at him.

"Interesting….this can be promising. What would Sadi sacrifice for your life?"

He turned and looked at Jaenelle with desire. He took another step towards her and caressed her body.

"What would you give up for your child?" He whispered in her ears. "You are mine, pretty eyes".

In that moment Argon knew the first circle were approaching the bedroom and disappeared releasing the spell.

"Soon…."

Lucian was crying and Gabrielle picked him up to console him. Carla looked at Jaenelle and noticed the tears on her cheeks.

"Aaron and Chaosti come here. Jaenelle is crying". Carla was breathing hard.

"That's good news. She is responding somehow." Chaosti said.

Gabrielle looked at the baby. "Your mommy will be able to hold you soon enough."

"I'm afraid this has nothing to do with that. We need Sadi to return immediately. Someone was here and I can feel it." Carla said with certainty.

"Why would you say that? The Kindred were here. No one could pass Kaela's watch unnoticed. We are all exhausted and tired. You are imagining things."

"No. Someone was here and left through that window". There was a collective gasp in the room. "I am contacting Sadi. Only Daemon can keep her safe".